Eustrephus latifolius
Common name
Wombat berry
Family
Asparagaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Lianes - Monocots
Conservation status
Not applicable
Brief description
Slender twining vine to 6 m tall, similar in general appearance to Asparagus asparagoides. Small tubers. Leaves obovate with acute to acuminate tips; veins ‘parallel’, all equal in size. Sepals 3, greenish-white, petals 3, fringed with long hairs. Fruit yellow to orange.
Distribution
In NZ first recorded as naturalising near a planted specimen in a large garden in March 2018
Similar taxa
Asparagus asparagoides, but Eustrephus has yellow-orange rather than red fruit and has fringed petals.
Flower colours
Green, White
Fruiting
Yellow to orange with 3 carpels, each with 2-3 black seeds
Year naturalised
2018
Origin
Malesia, western Pacific Islands, eastern Australia.